Modeling Career and CoverGirl Partnership

Brinkley’s modeling career began in 1973 when she was discovered by American photographer Errol Sawyer in Paris. She was introduced to Elite Model Management, and shortly after, she landed a series of advertising shoots. Her major breakthrough came when she signed a long-term contract with CoverGirl. The partnership lasted 25 years, making it one of the longest-running contracts in the history of modeling — a significant achievement in an industry known for its short career spans.

Magazine Covers and Brand Campaigns

Brinkley quickly rose to fame, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue for three consecutive years (1979, 1980, and 1981). In 2005, she was honored by Sports Illustrated for her contributions to the publication. She has graced the covers of numerous major magazines, including Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar. In addition to CoverGirl, she has been featured in campaigns for brands such as Nissan, Diet Coke, and Max Factor, among many others.

Acting and Media Appearances

Brinkley expanded her career beyond modeling by venturing into acting. She made her film debut in 1983, playing the "girl in the red Ferrari" in National Lampoon’s Vacation. She later hosted the reality show Celebrity Weddings InStyle and launched her own program, Living in the 90’s, in 1992. Brinkley also appeared in music videos for artists, including Billy Joel—her then-husband—and Mick Jones. She starred in a series of television commercials alongside Chuck Norris, promoting Total Gym fitness equipment.